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Chapter 1 Who's the Children’s Father?

In the maternity ward of the hospital.

"Spread your legs a bit more, wider!" The pain deep within caused Stellan Storm to shiver uncontrollably. Seeing the beads of sweat on her forehead and her pained expression, the doctor was considerate, comforting her, "The birthing process is quite painful. Just hang in there."

"Okay." She nodded through the pain.

"Yes, I must!" Encouraging herself aloud.

Just a month ago, Storm's Group went bankrupt. Her father took his own life in despair, and overnight, she went from being a privileged heiress to a girl drowning in debt.

When creditors cornered her with nowhere to run, Mrs. Marigold appeared like a saving angel in her time of need, "My son was severely injured and has been in a coma for two years, still not awakening. We need a girl with a clean family history to be a surrogate and give us an heir. In exchange, I will settle all of your family's debts."

The woman's terms were clear; if she gave birth to their child, then she had to leave and promise never to make contact again.

Those were the conditions set by Mrs. Marigold, and Stellan was in no position to refuse.

Afterward, she got pregnant as they hoped for, with triplets no less.

Mrs. Marigold was over the moon. She arranged the best prenatal care for her; nannies, nutritionists, and doctors on call around the clock.

Having forced down a nauseating tonic, Mrs. Marigold nodded in satisfaction, "You must follow the dietary plan. It's for the benefit of the babies inside."

"I know, Mom." Stellan felt deeply grateful to Mrs. Marigold, "Mom, I've been married into the family for some time now, and I'm carrying children. I still haven't seen my husband, but my morning sickness is over, and given my medical background, I can take care of him."

Mrs. Marigold was kind to her but, strangely, never allowed her to see her husband, nor did she ever mention anything about him. His existence was a mystery to her.

"No need," Mrs. Marigold said, "Once he awakens, you'll meet him. For now, just focus on your pregnancy."

Stellan couldn't help but wonder why she was kept from meeting him. Was it because his injuries were too gruesome, or because his appearance was frightful? Was Mrs. Marigold afraid she'd flee in fear?

Nine months later, her belly swelled as if it was about to burst. Bearing triplets, she required a cesarean delivery. Mrs. Marigold had arranged for the surgery at three in the afternoon. As the operation time approached, Mrs. Marigold's absence and a twinge of pain in her abdomen were causing Stellan unease.

Moments later…

"Bang."

Suddenly, the door to the room flung open, and Mrs. Marigold burst out with a thundering scowl.

"Mom, you're finally here," Stellan began, but she was silenced by the sting of a slap across her face.

"You treacherous woman, I never would've pegged you for such a conniving snake!" Mrs. Marigold accused.

Stellan was utterly perplexed, "Mom, what are you talking about?"

"And you have the nerve to ask?" Mrs. Marigold was seething as she flung the DNA test results at her, "Just look for yourself!"

The results were from a paternity test comparing her vegetative son's DNA with that of the child she was carrying.

"NO BIOLOGICAL RELATIONSHIP" blared at her in bold letters so stark that it sent Stellan reeling in shock.

"This can't be!" Stellan asserted with conviction, "I've been with no one else. How can these babies not be his? There must be some mistakes."

"The DNA report is crystal clear, and you're still trying to squirm your way out of it!" Mrs. Marigold was beside herself with rage, lunging forward to grab her collar and hissing, "Stellan, to think you've been deceiving me, you'd better pray for your twisted soul!"

Right then, a sharp pain struck her, and Stellan dropped to her knees, a flow of liquid signaling the onset of labor; the baby was coming!

"Mom, please, help me. They truly are his children. Help me," Stellan pleaded, gripping Mrs. Marigold's clothes, but Mrs. Marigold shoved her away with scorn.

"You vile woman, after deceiving me so thoroughly, you dare hope that I would help you and the bastard within you?"

"Mom, I beg you," Stellan gasped, overwhelmed by pain.

"The mother is in active labor and needs to deliver now." The doctor rushed over to Mrs. Marigold, "We need to perform a cesarean section immediately, Mrs. Marigold."

"A C-section? Let her suffer and die in agony, and nobody's to perform that surgery on her!" Mrs. Marigold's hatred for Stellan ran deep.

With Mrs. Marigold's refusal, the doctor had no choice but to take Stellan into the delivery room for a natural birth. An hour later, the doctor approached Mrs. Marigold, a wailing baby boy in his arms.

"Mrs. Marigold, the mother has had a severe hemorrhage. Out of the triplets, only one survived. We've done all we could."

Mrs. Marigold glanced at the boy with disdain, yet before she could speak, Rook burst in excitedly exclaiming, "Madam, great news, Alaric is awake!"

"What did you say?" Mrs. Marigold couldn't believe her ears, "What? Alaric is awake?"

"Yes, Madam, Alaric has awoken from his three-year coma!"

"And what about the child?" The doctor asked as Mrs. Marigold turned to leave, prompting one more urgent question.

Mrs. Marigold glanced at the child once more; her brow furrowed in thought before she said, "The baby arrived, and my son woke up like fate had its hand in it. He's meant to stay with our Knight family."

Rook gently took the baby boy from the doctor's arms and followed Mrs. Marigold into the car, heading back to the Knight residence.

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